Coarctation of aorta

Case contributed by M Sanal Kumar
Diagnosis probable

Presentation

Patient presented with epistaxis and headache. Chest radiograph was ordered.

Patient Data

Age: 20 years
Gender: Female

Chest

x-ray

Chest x-ray demonstrates focal indentation of the distal aortic arch consistent with coarctation of the aorta. This is known as a figure of 3 sign.

Case Discussion

Figure 3 sign is seen in aortic coarctation and is formed by prestenotic dilatation of the aortic arch and left subclavian artery, indentation at the coarctation site (also known as the "tuck"), and post stenotic dilatation of the descending aorta.

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